In this episode of The Lens: Living Diverse, Ben chats with Sophia Alexander – a future social worker, passionate advocate, and proud Black woman of Grenadian descent. Sophia opens up about her experience being diagnosed with glaucoma and the impact of meeting other Black individuals with sight loss for the first time. She dives into the complexities of navigating vision loss in her personal life, career, and community, as well as the intersection of her many identities. Through vulnerability and strength, Sophia talks about how she came to embrace her sight loss and what self-acceptance looks like today. Tune in as Ben and Sophia celebrate resilience, representation, and the dynamic force that is Sophia – changing the narrative in every space she enters.

You can find Sophie on:

TikTok: @SophiaDynamic

Instagram: @SophiaDynamic

In the final episode of The Blind Truth, Taylor and Vivi examine the state of public transit in Edmonton and Winnipeg, highlighting the successes of CNIB’s Get on Board advocacy campaign and the work that still needs to be done to create safe and accessible journeys across Canada. They’re joined by Trevor Dennehy, Director of LRT Operations and Maintenance at Edmonton Transit Service, and Simran Bhinder, Accessibility Coordinator at Winnipeg Transit, who are passionate about educating the public and other transit agencies on how to improve transit accessibility.

In episode three of The Blind Truth, Taylor and Vivi look at the student and parent perspectives of navigating the education system for students who are blind or have low vision. University student Zachary Abdalla reflects on his experiences as a student with sight loss in Alberta’s education system, while his mother, Chris Abdalla, explains how she instilled confidence in her son at school, while also allowing him to be independent. Chris also leads the Access to Education Coalition in Alberta, advocating for the rights of children and youth with sight loss.

In episode two of The Blind Truth, Taylor and Vivi explore how language has shaped the way we discuss and understand blindness since the 19th century. They’re joined by Dr. Vanessa Warne, a professor in the Department of English at the University of Manitoba, whose decade of research delves into the history of disabilities. With a focus on the early history of raised-print books and their readers, Dr Warne’s book, By Touch Alone: Blindness and Reading in Nineteenth-Century Culture, is forthcoming from the University of Michigan Press.

Welcome to the first episode of The Blind Truth, where hosts Taylor and Vivi discuss the foundation for understanding sight loss by debunking common stereotypes and misconceptions about blindness and answering common questions. Plus, learn more about Taylor and Vivi’s roles within the CNIB Advocacy – Voices for Action team.

This week on The Lens: Living Diverse, Ben sits down with Anne Mok, a content creator, public speaker, author, storyteller, and advocate. Anne shares her identities and experiences as an Asian woman with sight loss who immigrated to Canada at a young age, reflecting on what her culture means to her. Once shy, Anne found confidence through the power of storytelling. With her calm presence, she shares insights on how to overcome challenges, embrace authenticity, and encourages others to share their stories. Whether you're looking for motivation or practical storytelling tips, this episode will leave you feeling empowered and ready to view life through a lens of purpose.

In this episode of The Lens: Living Diverse, host Ben sits down with the legendary Kelly MacDonald, celebrated broadcaster and host of AMI’s Kelly & Company. Kelly shares his journey as a Black man living with sight loss navigating the entertainment and broadcasting industry. He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of breaking into an industry that, at one time, overlooked diversity in race, disability, and body image. Kelly discusses the evolution of representation in media and addresses questions about identity, including the perception of “not sounding Black” within both the Blind community and society at large. He also offers practical advice for aspiring entertainers and broadcasters about overcoming similar barriers. Don’t miss this insightful episode where Kelly lifts the lid on the wisdom beneath his signature fedora!

You can find Kelly on:

Instagram: @kellyandcoami

X (Twitter): @amikellymac

In the final episode of Dollars Seen Differently, Graham Dobbs from TMU discusses the basics of cryptocurrency. Graham explains that cryptocurrency, unlike traditional currency, is a decentralized digital form of money, often managed through blockchain technology. He explores types of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, altcoins, and stable coins, and discusses the security risks, volatility, and privacy features that distinguish them from traditional currencies. Graham also considers how cryptocurrencies may act more as a speculative investment than as practical currency substitutes. This episode offers listeners an informative look into cryptocurrency’s complex role in today’s economy, highlighting both its potential and challenges.

Show notes: https://www.cnib.ca/sites/default/files/2024-11/Dollars%20Seen%20Differently%20Episode%2010%20-%20An%20Introduction%20To%20Cryptocurrency%20.pdf

In Episode 9 of Dollar Seen Differently, Ryan Chin from Sunlife Financial and Peridot Financial Solutions explains the importance and types of life insurance available for individuals, including those with disabilities. Chin shares that life insurance is often sought to cover debts, leave a legacy, or handle final expenses, and it can help protect loved ones financially. He introduces three main types of life insurance: Term Insurance (temporary, covering a set period), Permanent Insurance (covers an individual’s entire life), and Participating Permanent Insurance (a policy that grows in value over time through dividends). He discusses eligibility, the application process, and how risk factors like age, health, and lifestyle impact premiums and policy approval. For those with pre-existing conditions, some policies may still be available with risk assessment. Chin encourages consulting with a knowledgeable advisor to determine the right coverage based on personal needs and goals.

Show notes: https://www.cnib.ca/sites/default/files/2024-11/Dollars%20Seen%20Differently%20Episode%209%20-%20Life%20Insurance.pdf

In Episode 8 of Dollars Seen Differently, we cover the essentials of financial literacy, focusing on debts, loans, and taxes. The episode discusses different types of loans—such as credit cards, lines of credit, mortgages, and payday loans—highlighting their pros and cons. The speakers emphasize the importance of managing debt responsibly, understanding interest rates, and the dangers of consumerism. They also explain how poor financial decisions can lead to long-term consequences, including damaged credit scores and mental stress. The episode wraps up by discussing the importance of filing taxes annually, even for those without income, and how missing tax deadlines can result in lost government benefits and penalties.

Show notes: https://www.cnib.ca/sites/default/files/2024-11/Dollars%20Seen%20Differently%20Episode%208%20-%20Debt%20and%20Taxes%20-%20The%20Basics.pdf